Upright Citizens Brigade

Stacey Smith

Presens Ensemble

The lineup keeps growing — new artists announced regularly!

Performers & Teachers

Alexandra Dickson (UCB, New York)

Performer & teacher
Alex is an actor and improviser living in Brooklyn, NY. She started in Chicago as an understudy for the Touring Company of Second City. She’s a teacher and Stepfather and ASSSSCAT cast member at Upright Citizens Brigade.
Stacey Smith (Boom Chicago, Amsterdam)

Performer & teacher
Stacey is currently a mainstage cast member at the famous Boom Chicago Theater in Amsterdam and as of September 2022, she is the Artistic Director.
Sebastian Conneli (UCB, New York)

Performer & teacher
Sebastian is a New York–based actor and comedian, and host of the hit podcast Loud About Nothing. He is a regular performer at UCB, appearing in shows such as ASSSSCAT, Raaaatscraps, and with the legendary team The Stepfathers. You’ve seen him on Netflix, HBO, Apple TV, and in the Oscar-winning film Anora.
Jennifer Bareilles (New York)

Performer & teacher
Jennifer is a New York–based actor, improviser, and coach known for blurring the line between drama and comedy with a grounded, theatrical style — always with a kick. Trained in the Meisner technique and at institutions such as UCB, The PIT, and The Annoyance Theater, she is a regular presence on some of New York City’s most respected improv stages.

You can catch Jennifer performing in NYC in shows like Awkward Family Dinner, Slow Play, and alongside her favorite duo partner Kevin Scott. She teaches improv, acting, and solo show writing at The People’s Improv Theater (PIT) in New York and Barcelona Improv Group (BIG).
Kevin Scott (New York)

Performer & teacher
Kevin began teaching sketch writing and improvisation for Second City in Chicago in the 1990s and has been teaching continuously ever since, working with institutions such as Second City, Gotham City Improv, and The People’s Improv Theater.

Kevin is founding member of three legendary long-form ensembles — Bang Bang (Chicago), Burn Manhattan (NYC), and Centralia. He specializes in physical and organic improvisation as well as comedic improv, and has taught and performed at festivals and theaters around the world,
Shane Nielsen (UCB, New York)

Performer & Teacher
Shane is a performing member of several of NYC’s top improv institutions, appearing in UCB-shows such as Raaaatscraps, Asssscat, Rumpleteaser Musical Improv, and The Prophecy on UCB’s Harold Night. Alongside his stage work, he also creates dramatic, serious video content on TikTok as part of @BrandonAndShane, showcasing another side of his storytelling range.